How to Set Up a SFWMD-Compliant Irrigation Schedule in South Florida
How to Set Up a SFWMD-Compliant Irrigation Schedule
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule is one of the most commonly violated environmental regulations in South Florida — not because contractors are ignoring it, but because many have never had it properly explained to them. Running sprinklers at the wrong time or on the wrong days can result in fines from $50 to $10,000 depending on violation history and municipality.
This guide walks through every element of the SFWMD rule and shows you how to program any irrigation controller to comply.
The Core SFWMD Year-Round Rule
SFWMD Rule 40E-24 establishes the baseline irrigation schedule for all properties in the South Florida Water Management District, which covers the 16 counties of South Florida including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Collier, and Monroe.
The basic restrictions:
- Irrigation is limited to two days per week for most properties
- Watering is prohibited between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM (peak evaporation hours)
- Each irrigation zone cannot run for more than 1 hour per zone per day
- A functioning rain sensor or soil moisture sensor is required by law on all new and replacement systems
Day Assignment by Address
The two permitted watering days are assigned based on your property address — specifically the last digit of the street address.
SFWMD Year-Round Watering Day Assignment by Address 2025
| Last Digit of Address | Permitted Watering Days | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Monday and Thursday | 100 Oak St, 4321 Palm Ave |
| 2 or 3 | Tuesday and Friday | 123 Biscayne Blvd, 7892 Coral Way |
| 4 or 5 | Wednesday and Saturday | 4455 Collins Ave, 9935 SW 8th St |
| 6 or 7 | Thursday and Sunday | 1236 Flagler Dr, 8767 NE 2nd Ave |
| 8 or 9 | Friday and Monday | 5678 US-1, 9489 Brickell Ave |
| No address / common area | Wednesday and Saturday | HOA common areas, medians |
These are the SFWMD district-wide assignments. Some municipalities operate a separate schedule — Miami-Dade Water and Sewer, City of Miami, and Broward County utilities all have their own published schedules that you should verify before programming. Source: SFWMD 40E-24; FloridaLandscapeIQ, 2025.
Rain Sensor Requirements
Florida law (FS 373.62) requires a functioning rain shutoff device on all new irrigation systems installed after May 1991 and on any existing system that undergoes repair of 50% or more of its components.
What counts as compliant:
- Wired rain sensors (most common in South Florida — must be mounted where they can detect open rainfall, not under an eave)
- Wireless rain sensors
- Soil moisture sensors (ETc-based controllers qualify)
Common violations:
- Rain sensor bypassed on the controller (many homeowners bypass the sensor to "keep the lawn green" during dry spells — illegal during restricted periods)
- Sensor mounted under an overhang where it can't measure rainfall accurately
- Broken sensor that was never replaced
Fine for non-functional rain sensor: $50–$250 first offense in most jurisdictions. Higher for commercial properties.
How to Program Your Controller
Step 1 — Identify your permitted days Find the last digit of the property address. Match to the day assignment table above. Confirm against your local water utility for any municipal overlay.
Step 2 — Set watering hours Program start times so all zones complete their run before 10:00 AM or start no earlier than 4:00 PM. The safest approach is early morning starts (4:00 AM – 7:00 AM) when evaporation is lowest and pressure is adequate.
Step 3 — Cap zone run times SFWMD limits each zone to 1 hour per watering day. Most turf zones run 20–45 minutes. Shrub and planting zones typically run 10–30 minutes.
Step 4 — Test the rain sensor Pour water on the sensor disc or use the manufacturer's test procedure to confirm the controller shuts off when the sensor is triggered.
Step 5 — Document the setup For commercial properties and HOAs, maintain a controller log showing programming dates, zone schedules, and rain sensor test results. This documentation protects you if a violation notice is issued.
Exemptions to Know
The SFWMD rule includes specific exemptions that irrigation contractors need to understand:
- New plantings: Newly installed turf, plants, and trees may be watered daily for 30 days after installation. This must be documented with an installation date on the permit or a signed statement. After 30 days, the standard schedule applies.
- Hand watering: Hand-held hose irrigation is not subject to day restrictions (but is still prohibited during the 10 AM–4 PM window in some municipalities)
- Drip and microirrigation: Subsurface drip systems and certain microirrigation configurations may qualify for different scheduling under SFWMD Rule 40E-2.
- Reclaimed water systems: Properties irrigating with reclaimed (recycled) water from the utility may have different schedules — verify with your reclaimed water provider
What Happens If You Violate
Violations are enforced by water utilities, municipal code enforcement, and SFWMD directly. Inspectors patrol residential streets, particularly after rain events.
Typical fine structure:
- First offense: Warning or $50–$100 citation
- Second offense: $250–$500
- Third and subsequent: $1,000–$10,000 depending on municipality and water district
For irrigation contractors: A licensed contractor whose installed system is cited can face licensing consequences through CILB. Ensuring the schedule is correct and documented before leaving a job site is both a legal and professional responsibility.
Find certified irrigation contractors and smart controller specialists through the FloridaLandscapeIQ Contractor Directory.
Source: SFWMD Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule 40E-24; Florida Statute 373.62; Miami-Dade Water and Sewer; FloridaLandscapeIQ Staff, April 2025.